Report: Mets’ Collins Says 2017 Could Be His Final Season

Mets manager Terry Collins looks out from the dugout before the start of the game against the Yankees at Yankee Stadium on Aug. 4, 2016. The Mets went on to win 4-1. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) — Terry Collins is talking like a manager who is nearing retirement.

The Mets’ skipper told ESPN on Thursday that 2017 might be his last year as a manager, but added that he will make his final decision after the season.

Collins, who at 67 is the oldest manager in Major League Baseball, cited the physical demands of the job as the main reason he’s considering calling it a career.

“I’ve always said a lot of it will be dictated by how I’m feeling,” Collins said. “This was a tough year.”

Collins was hospitalized overnight during a June series in Milwaukee after becoming ill and had to miss a game. He said that medical issue has not resurfaced.

He did, however, note that he felt particularly worn day when the Mets played a day game on Labor Day in Cincinnati after playing the night before in New York.

“This travel is hard, especially with the late-night scheduling that is prevalent throughout baseball,” Collins said. “There are so many night games where you’re traveling after the game and getting into towns at 3 or 4 o’clock in the morning. And the next thing you know, if you ever have a day game pop up on you, it’s tough to do.”

A year after leading the Mets to the World Series, Collins guided them to the National League wild-card game this season, just the second time in franchise history the Amazins have reached the postseason in back-to-back years. The job he did this season was arguably the best of his career, considering the Mets were devastated by season-ending injuries to third baseman David Wright, second baseman Neil Walker and starting pitchers Matt Harvey, Jacob deGrom and Steven Matz.

In six seasons as Mets manager, Collins has a 481-491 record. He needs just 51 more wins to pass Bobby Valentine for second on the franchise’s all-time list.